Sinn Féin - On Your Side

Almost twenty years after Good Friday Agreement, former political prisoners still experience discrimination.

Sinn
Féin MEP Martina Anderson, along with Michael Culbert - Director of Coiste na
nIarchimÍCoiste na nlarchimím, has called for the full implementation of the
Good Friday and subsequent agreements, in terms of equalities for ex-political
prisoners.

Speaking following a delegation of victims and families of British state collusion to the
European Parliament in Strasbourg, Martina Anderson MEP said,

"Despite
the UN outlining that their process of DDR (disarmament, demobilization and
reintegration) must be integrated into the entire peace process
of post-conflict societies, this was never carried out in Ireland.

"As
a result, almost twenty years after the Good Friday Agreement, certain groups
of Irish citizens - namely ex-political prisoners and their families - are
still experiencing discrimination.

"The
UN states that whilst the DDR alone cannot resolve conflict, prevent violence,
or enable development, it can, however, help establish a secure environment so
that other elements of a recovery and peacebuilding strategy can proceed.

"However,
although our society, along with the help of political parties has managed to
resolve conflict and prevent violence, many of our citizens are still denied
full access to goods and services.

"This
is also true in terms of employment, where applicants can be denied of, or
dismissed from, employment if they are an ex-political prisoner.

"Representatives
from Coiste na nlarchimím therefore presented a short analysis of the current
situation, explaining the inequalities and requesting advocacy to the Office of
the European Human Rights Commissioner and to the Office of the Execution of
Judgements.

"Former
political prisoners are entitled to be treated with respect as full and equal
members of society and the progressive steps made during the meetings with EU
representatives are further steps into ending this discrimination." ENDS